What a shame.
Mobius didn't respond.
She just shot a frosty glare at Nuwa and Fuxi, instantly making the two of them break out in a cold sweat.
Then she finally spoke.
"If you two have nothing better to do, go get lunch for me and Blanca."
"I-I'll go right now!" Fuxi, quick on the uptake, immediately grabbed Nuwa and bolted.
Blanca, however, raised a small hand from behind her stack of documents.
"Hey, Doctor, when is that junior I recommended supposed to arrive? Haven't the paperwork gone through yet?"
"Why, are you in a hurry?" Mobius shot her a sidelong glance.
Blanca fell silent.
She knew Mobius was in a foul mood right now.
The main reason, just as Elysia had said, was that streamer from the sky projection earlier. That guy kept going on and on about 'Granny Mobius this, Granny Mobius that,' and now whenever Mobius went out, she could feel all these weird looks directed her way.
It was enough to make her blood boil.
"You…"
"Elysia, what do you want?"
"..."
When it came to this pink-haired nuisance standing before her, Mobius liked to think she detested her.
Crossing her arms, she leaned lightly against the lab table and glared at the woman with pure disdain.
But Elysia never seemed to notice.
Even now, she was all smiles.
"Can't I just drop by to see you, Doctor?"
"How mean~ Aren't we best friends? Don't be so cold!"
"..."
Who in the world is your best friend?
Mobius fixed a gloomy stare on Elysia.
"I want to see you in a pink dress," Elysia pleaded, clasping her hands together and batting her eyelashes with a playful wink, laying on the charm thick.
Unfortunately, it was useless.
"Blanca, show her out!" Mobius turned to leave.
But in the next instant, Elysia suddenly threw her arms around Mobius, clinging tightly to her waist, refusing to let go no matter what.
All while whining dramatically.
"Don't be so cold, Doctor! My dear Mobius… just say yes, please!"
"You… let go of me!" Mobius snapped, exasperated.
But it was no use!
Elysia was the type to turn on the waterworks at a moment's notice.
Even if they were fake tears, they still tugged at the heartstrings.
Mobius felt herself waver for a second, but after another look at Elysia, she hardened her resolve.
"Let go!"
"What's gotten into you?!"
"..."
"I'm not being crazy, it's just… I'm going to have to leave soon. You might never see me again, Doctor. Aren't you even a little sad?" Elysia argued, refusing to back down.
Blanca watched the scene unfold from the sidelines, staying quiet.
"..." Mobius fell silent for a moment.
She let out a sigh. "First of all, I know you're going to see Kiana, but she's in Sapphire City, which isn't far from here. Stop making it sound like some life-or-death farewell."
"Secondly, whatever happens to you is none of my business. Even if I die here, even if I jump out that window, I am never putting on a pink dress. So give it up."
"..."
Seeing that even this wasn't working, Elysia could only pout in frustration. Still, she released Mobius and put on a smile, as if nothing had just happened.
"Doctor, haven't you always wanted to run tests on me?"
"..."
"Just this once, okay?"
She held up a single finger—slender and pale as spring onion.
Mobius stared at her in disbelief.
Was the sun rising from the west today?
Back before Mobius knew Elysia was the Herrscher of Origin, she already thought there was something off about her.
She'd wanted to study her.
But every time, Elysia had dodged the subject with a joke or some deflection.
Then, a few days ago, it came out—Elysia was the Herrscher of Origin, a natural-born Herrscher, the promised bride of the Herrscher of Finality. What a perfect specimen.
Once again, Mobius found herself itching to get Elysia under a microscope.
But Elysia, just like before, had brushed her off.
And now, out of nowhere, she was offering herself up?
Mobius couldn't help but wonder if this was some kind of prank.
She raised an eyebrow, studying Elysia closely.
But Elysia stood there, calm and sincere, a soft smile on her face as she spread her arms slightly, almost as if welcoming her.
Mobius couldn't help but fall silent.
"Stop acting like you're heading to the battlefield. Give me some blood, tissue samples, maybe some hair—then get out."
"So mean~ I'm your precious test subject, you know! If you treat me like this, be careful—I might get upset and affect your results," Elysia grumbled, trailing closely behind Mobius with a pout, her tone a mix of complaint and playfulness.
Mobius remained unmoved. "Oh? Then show me what you've got. I'd love to see it."
--+--
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
After Kiana's house arrest was lifted, she didn't particularly feel like going out.
She'd really let herself go.
Lazy and out of practice.
It wasn't until Carole found out Kiana was allowed visitors that she brought Hua along to see her at home.
It was only then that Carole and Hua realized—so this was what the great lady was like in private! She used to at least put on a front before, but now she wasn't even trying. She was being downright spoiled.
Worth mentioning, when Kiana learned Carole and Hua were coming, she did briefly consider changing into something more presentable.
But when leaders from Shenzhou had visited earlier to check on her and offer comfort, she'd still been lounging around in panda-themed hooded pajamas, casual and unbothered.
Perhaps in her heart, Carole and Hua mattered far more than those strangers ever could.
In fact, many had already picked up on this trait of hers.
Anyone who paid a little attention could see it!
But wasn't that a good thing?
She valued connections and cherished old bonds.
Status and wealth meant nothing to her—she engaged with people based purely on whether she liked them.
No one likes an ingrate.
Someone like Kiana, on the other hand, put people at ease.
If it hadn't already been decided that Elysia would be sent to stay with Kiana for the time being, certain families and higher-ups might have already started considering whether to select promising young women from their own lineages to offer her.
Not for any particular gain.
Just for the chance to leave a good impression.
Kiana had never disliked this kind of life.
Some might find it stifling, lacking in freedom.
But for her, it had always felt just fine.
As the videos were released, the response grew increasingly noticeable, her destiny becoming clearer, and the feedback steadily poured in.
She was growing stronger by the day.
Even if she rarely had the chance to test her limits, it didn't seem to be an issue.
Just feeling herself grow stronger was enough—she wasn't exactly eager for actual combat.
An easy, relaxed life was far better.
As the world's beloved little ancestor, the world naturally, whether intentionally or not, revolved around her.
The privilege of the strong was on full display here.
And when you were the one with the privileges, rather than someone else, well—nobody really minded that, did they?
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.